Kirby picks up Seaboats fleet

Tank barge operator Kirby Corporation has purchased the coastwise tank barge fleet of fellow operator Seaboats for $42.3m. The purchase consists of three 80,000-barrel tank barge and tug units, which currently operate along the US east coast,and have an average age of five years. "The purchase of Seaboats' three tank barge units furthers our objective of growing our offshore tank barge fleet," says Kirby. "The three tank barges are sister barges, built to the same design as our four 80,000-barrel tank barges, and will expand our fleet capacity, service capabilities to our customers, and provide additional flexibility."